Toddler Countdown Chain

This time of year, many kids may be making a countdown chain to mark how many days left until Christmas.  In our house, with only a toddler, this didn't seem like it would have much meaning.  So instead we made a countdown chain that counts the days until Little Guy will see his grandparents!  Little Guy  keeps telling us "I want to see Grandma and Granddaddy" and "I want to see Grandpa and Grandma B."  This is a way that we can show him we are getting closer to seeing them. 

 All you need to do this is some paper (cut in strips), a stapler, and stickers (optional).  First, figure out how many links you need.  We started with 17.  I used red and green paper (which was a great way to model some simple patterning).  Little Guy put stickers on some of the strips (about 5 before he was done with the stickers), then I stapled the chain.

Every morning Little Guy and Daddy take one link off the chain.  (The first day, Little Guy went back on his own and took off another link!  He is excited for the chain and to see his grandparents.)  We are all excited to see the chain getting shorter!

What are you counting down to?